jaybee
Junior Member
Posts: 51
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Post by jaybee on Aug 18, 2004 12:58:33 GMT -5
So, are diesel rangers with Mazda drivelines welcome in here? I just had this ranger land in my lap, and being a diesel guy I really like it so far. I would assume it is exactly the same under the hood as the Mazda version?
I got it with the tranny pulled due to reverse gear coming loose and sliding back the mainshaft. It didn't do any damage, but I having trouble putting a non overdrive 4 speed back in. The truck has a 3.73 rear end, and 24.25" tall tires so a theoretical speed of 70 equates to 3500+ rpms. I'm not sure where these engines like to run, or where they redline, but that seems high.
I recognize the tranny as the same basic design as my RX-7's have. It looks like I could use the front housing off the one in the truck, and the center and guts from a 5 speed RX-7 tranny to get me an overdrive. Of course, it would be really nice to find an actual 5 speed diesel tranny - but I have no idea where to...
So - questions for y'all:
1. What is redline on these engines?
2. Where do they like to be for highway cruising?
3. Anybody played with turbos?
4. Anybody turned the pump up any?
5. Anybody have a spare 5 speed?
Thanks,
Jason
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jaybee
Junior Member
Posts: 51
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Post by jaybee on Aug 18, 2004 12:59:41 GMT -5
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Post by Dave on Aug 19, 2004 19:20:54 GMT -5
hey anything automotive is ok here ;D These engines (and sim. motors redline around the 3k mark you can run them at 3100, 3200 but i wouldnt run them at that for very long. no diesel takes kindly to being over reved. highway cruising i would run it between 100-115kmh tops.. (extended periods) 120kmh quick short burst... turbos, no. nope, dont think you can get anymore out of the injector pump up. (i wouldnt mess with the internal guts of these things, (there like a grandfarther clock.) a spare 5th  id recommend taking it to a good transmission shop and perhaps they can match up other generic parts. good luck, let us know how you make out maybe smoeone here has some spare parts for your tranny... any takers? Dave  |
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Post by Dave on Aug 19, 2004 19:24:29 GMT -5
can i trade you frames??? im thinking of keeping the ol' blue truck alive, and restoring the frame. but she needs alot of parts, ball joints, i suspect a tie-rod end, (sloppy) stablizer kit, brakes, her frame is pretty bad... if i do this, its gonna take some serious migging and arc welding  my diesel is still sitting in the sun for the last few months...  |
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jaybee
Junior Member
Posts: 51
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Post by jaybee on Aug 19, 2004 21:33:26 GMT -5
Dave - thanks for the info, however I'm a little confused about your redline number. I know bigger diesels like the one in my F250 redline at around or just over 3000, but I'd have thought that little 4 banger went higher. This is based on finding that the engine's 59 horsepower was rated at 4000 rpms... Usually the rated speed of a diesel is a speed that it could run continuously...
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Post by mazdadieselsrule on Aug 20, 2004 9:28:50 GMT -5
Jaybee, nice truck! It looks like a museum piece its so clean! From what I remember about Ranger diesels when I owned one was that 83-84 used the Mazda engine, non turbo only and 4spd only. 1984 had a rare special order option only 5spd per the back of the owners manual and are very very hard to find this way. Most of those 4spds blew up or had the tail shafts of the trans break off because the bushing got worn and threw the balance off. These trans can be had in junk yards or you can buy a 30,000 mile one from an importer like I did for my 1984 Mazda-lot less grief. There is a Ranger diesel on ebay and he may still have the trans if yours is a 4 spd. I just bought the starter from it. I remember driving my 83, it was a slug! Way slower than the Mazda truck because it was heavier. 1st gear was sow low it was a waste of time and the truck had a max of 70mph in 4th if you were lucky. Still dont know why the morons at Ford just didnt make them with the 5spd as standard. They also piled all kinds of crap onto that simple little engine. Instead of using Mazdas alternator with built in vacuum pump they mounted this monstrosity of an alternator and belt driven vacuum pump,also their P/S pump on the other side with a huge bracket.Typical Big 3 stupidity. The other thing is they also had 2 differant radiator cores and shrouds. The thing you want to watch for is the exhaust manifold breaking at the flange from vibration, they had a bulletin back then for exhaust system rattles and bracket updates on the diesels. If you find any spares for it get them! The diesel related parts are hard as hell to find and getting tougher as time passes. I bought mine in a local classifieds with 151,000 and sold it to a friend,he then sold it back to me 4 years later with 263,000 and I resold it. One tough little truck. Dont worry about keeping that engine revved on the highway, my friend said his mileage was better when he just kept his foot to the floor on the pike. Feel free to email me with any questions, I am a Mazda S2 guy from way back.John.
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jaybee
Junior Member
Posts: 51
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Post by jaybee on Aug 20, 2004 11:16:50 GMT -5
John - thanks for the info! There was only one thing missing - your email address. I was curious about how much that jdm 5 speed cost you, also...
Jason
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Post by Davotoo on Aug 20, 2004 13:59:46 GMT -5
Hey Jay:
Although motor will rev to 4000 the governor starts cutting back on the fuel at 2000. Also these little guys are known for eating intake valve heads, so cool it on the winding.
Post pics of motor please. I've heard you didn't get an oil cooler or bypass oil filter on the ranger.
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jaybee
Junior Member
Posts: 51
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Post by jaybee on Aug 20, 2004 14:04:20 GMT -5
I'll try to get more pics this weekend. It definitely has the bypass oil filter, but I don't remember seeing a cooler...
Jason
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jaybee
Junior Member
Posts: 51
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Post by jaybee on Aug 20, 2004 14:09:48 GMT -5
Actually, the bypass filter is shown in the pics at the link I posted above...
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Post by Davotoo on Aug 20, 2004 14:18:37 GMT -5
Found the pics of your motor! Looks good.  Do you live where it snows and they pile salt on the road?  |
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Post by Davotoo on Aug 20, 2004 14:32:21 GMT -5
I have done open heart on 2 pumps to replace the throttle shaft O-ring seal. The engine will run way or not idle (hunt) if you don't have the calibration screw in the right place. A turbo would be nice, maybe headers and a tuned intake..... ;D
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Post by mazdadieselsrule on Aug 22, 2004 12:13:02 GMT -5
jaybee the rangers has the full flow filter stuffed back under the starter and didnt have an oil cooler. The oil sump was in back too so the pans are differant as is the exhaust manifold. Two things I liked they had that Mazda trucks didnt was the fuel heater over the top of the intake and the water seperator was drained by simply flipping the seat forward and pulling the tee handle behind it. Bought time those idiots at Ford did something right! I wouldnt worry about revving that engine, I drove my 1983 579,000 miles without trouble and a friend drove an 83 over 100,000 miles on the highway flat out with no 5th gear! If the valves are left loose it may happen but if they are always in adjustment it shouldnt. My email is deezljohn@aol.com
You should buy the throttle cable off the one on ebay, if yours breaks you will be screwed until the rare evnt you ever find another.
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Post by metromustang on Sept 5, 2004 21:28:45 GMT -5
2. My truck hasn't any Herbie-like abilities so I don't know what it likes. 3. Isn't the compression ratio a little high for turbo? 4. I don't know anything about the injection pump or its limits. However, DieselDavo had this observation: north76.proboards11.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1084972742 . I don't know if anybody can verify this but my 1982 smokes at any foot feed position past fast idle and it does so in proportion to the position of the foot feed. Look out when I'm on the freeway on-ramp! 5. Why not get a lower ratio rear end? I'm not sure about John's statement about the useless 1st gear. It's the same first gear we have and our rear ends are 3.90:1. I use mine to start off unless I'm going over 2 mph. He's told me before that first part of drivetrain that's FORD is the tailshaft. Maybe you have some info in a book that you can compare to the mazDa info here: north76.proboards11.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1084933021. |
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Post by mazdadieselsrule on Sept 5, 2004 21:57:54 GMT -5
My 84 hardly smokes at all unless its at nite in someones headlites and thats nothing to go by. At 75 mph I see nothing in my rear view mirror. The Mazda trans in the Ranger is all Mazda. The bushings inside the tailshaft wear because they couldnt take the heavier weight of the Ford driveshaft. This causes the shaft to whip around and vibrate. I have seen 4 trans that had the tailshaft housing broken right off including my 83 when I bought it. The first gear on the Ranger seemed lower than the Mazda even though I realise its the EXACT same trans as the 5spd minus the intermediate housing that had 5th and reverse in it. I would just keep the 4spd in it, they are no rocket anyway so if your in a hurry with it or want to fly on the highway believe me its the wrong truck for that. Acceleration is depressing at best. If you take that into consideration and the fact it has no worthwhile top end on the highway you will enjoy it.John.
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